Valine sat on the ground beneath the sprawling garden's ancient trees, a book in her hands. However, she had been staring at the same page for twenty minutes, her thoughts consumed by her mate. She had waited all night for him, but he never appeared. He attempted to go to his office, only to find it locked.

As she tried to refocus on her book, the rustling of leaves and approaching footsteps brought her back to the present. Carson emerged from the shadows.

"Hey," he said, his voice calm, "Mind if I join you?"

Valine smiled at him and nodded, knowing exactly why he had come. It was something she...